" In a form of mation using visualization, such as Chinese Qi Gong, the practitioner concentrates on flows of energy (Qi) in the body, starting in the abdomen and then circulating through the body, until dispersed. Some mative traditions, such as yoga or tantra, are common to several religions or occur outside religious contexts. HinduismFor more details on this topic, see Dhyana in Hinduism.Mation originated from Vedic Hinduism which is the oldest religion that professes mation as a spiritual and religious practice.Evidence of the origins of mation extends back to a time before recorded history. Archaeologists tell us the practice may have existed among the first Indian civilizations. Indian scriptures dating back 5000 years describe mation techniques. From its ancient beginnings and over thousands of years, mation has developed into a structured practice used today by millions of people worldwide of differing nationalities and religious beliefs.

Yoga (Devanagari: ???) is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on mation. In India, Yoga is seen as a means to both physiological and spiritual mastery.There are several types of mation in Hinduism. Amongst these types are:Vedanta, a form of Jnana Yoga. Raja Yoga as outlined by Patanjali, which describes eight "limbs" of spiritual practices, half of which might be classified as mation. Underlying them is the assumption that a yogi should still the fluctuations of his or her mind: Yoga cittavrrti nirodha. Surat shabd yoga, or "sound and light mation" Japa Yoga, in which a mantra is repeated aloud or silently Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love and devotion, in which the seeker is focused on an object of devotion, eg Krishna Hatha Yoga, in which postures and mations are aimed at raising the spiritual energy, known as Kundalini, which rises through energy centres known as chakras The objective of mation is to reach a calm state of mind.

Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras, described five different states of mind: Ksipta, Mudha, Viksipta, Ekagra and Nirodha. Ksipta defines a very agitated mind, unable to think, listen or remain quiet. It is jumping from one thought to another. In Mudha no information seems to reach the brain; the person is absentminded. Viksipta is a higher state where the mind receives information but is not able to process it. It moves from one thought to another, in a confused inner speech. Ekagra is the state of a calm mind but not asleep. The person is focused and can pay attention. Lastly Nirodha, when the mind is not disturbed by erratic thoughts, it is completely focused, as when you are mating or totally centered in what you are doing. The ultimate end of mation according to Patanjali is the destruction of primal ignorance (avidya) and the realization of and establishment in the essential nature of the Self. Buddhism Buddha in mationMain article: Buddhist mationMation has always been central to Buddhism.

The historical Buddha himself was said to have achieved enlightenment while mating under a Bodhi tree. Most forms of Buddhism distinguish between two classes of mation practices, shamatha and vipassana, both of which are necessary for attaining enlightenment. The former consists of practices aimed at developing the ability to focus the attention single-pointedly; the latter includes practices aimed at developing insight and wisdom through seeing the true nature of reality. The differentiation between the two types of mation practices is not always clear cut, which is made obvious when studying practices such as Anapanasati which could be said to start off as a shamatha practice but that goes through a number of stages and ends up as a vipassana practice.

Mation

Mation is a discipline in which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. It often involves turning attention to a single point of reference. Mation is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Mation is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different mative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which may emphasize different goals - from the achievement of a higher state of consciousness, greater focus, creativity, self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.The word mation originally comes from the Indo-European root med-, meaning "to measure." From the root med- are also derived the English words mete, medicine, modest, and moderate. It entered English as mation through the Latin matio, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "contemplation.

"Eastern mation techniques have been adapted and increasingly practiced in Western culture. Forms of mation Bodhidharma practicing zazen.Mation has been defined as: "self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now." The various techniques of mation can be classified according to their focus. Some focus on the field or background perception and experience, also called "mindfulness"; others focus on a preselected specific object, and are called "concentrative" mation. There are also techniques that shift between the field and the object.In mindfulness mation, the mator sits comfortably and silently, centering attention by focusing awareness on an object or process (either the breath, a sound: a mantra, koan or riddle evoking questions; a visualisation, or an exercise). The mator is usually encouraged to maintain an open focus:... shifting freely from one perception to the next clear your mind of all that bothers you no thoughts that can distract you from reality or your personal being... No thought, image or sensation is considered an intrusion. The mator, with a 'no effort' attitude, is asked to remain in the here and now.

Using the focus as an 'anchor'... brings the subject constantly back to the present, avoiding cognitive analysis or fantasy regarding the contents of awareness, and increasing tolerance and relaxation of secondary thought processes.Concentration mation is used in many religions and spiritual practices. Whereas in mindfulness mation there is an open focus, in concentration mation the mator holds attention on a particular object (e.g., a repetitive prayer) while minimizing distractions; bringing the mind back to concentrate on the chosen object. In some traditions, such as Vipassana, mindfulness and concentration are combined.Mation can be practiced while walking or doing simple repetitive tasks. Walking mation helps to break down habitual automatic mental categories, "thus regaining the primary nature of perceptions and events, focusing attention on the process while disregarding its purpose or final outcome.